What is it?

Dutch Elm disease (DED) is a fungus that can infect and kill elm trees. This disease clogs up the water transportation system of the trees, causing wilting and yellowing of branches and eventual death of the elm. It is suspected that the beetles responsible for transmitting DED are moved about on elm firewood.

What can I do?

Do not bring in elm firewood from out of province. Prune out dead material on elms regularly from October 1 to March 31 and dispose of it at the landfill for burial; proper pruning and watering keeps the tree healthy and helps prevent the beetle from infecting elms.

The City carries out an ongoing education awareness campaign, in conjunction with the Society To Prevent Dutch Elm Disease, which includes Dutch Elm Disease Awareness Week in June.

For more information please refer to the Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease (STOPDED) website, Dutch Elm Disease (pdf) pages from our Integrated Pest Management Manual or the Don't Move Firewood Brochure (pdf) .